Saddam in scuffle with guards

2005-10-19 14:44

Saddam Hussein addresses the judges at his trial in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. (Ben Curtis, AFP)

Baghdad - Toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein scuffled briefly with security guards on Wednesday on the first day of his trial over the massacre of more than 140 Shi'ite villagers in 1982.

Guards tried to grab his arm to take him out of the court for a brief recess but he resisted, a correspondent in the court said.

Saddam, who has challenged the authority of the court and frequently sparred with the chief judge, argued with the two men for about 30 seconds before the guards allowed him to leave unaided.

Saddam and seven other defendants are on trial for crimes against humanity. They face execution if found guilty.

The trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on charges of crimes against humanity was adjourned Wednesday to November 28.

The decision was made by Kurdish judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin following a request by Saddam's Iraqi lawyer for a three-month delay.

- AFP